Super Software

There are different types of software that have different functions with in the classroom.

Drill and Practice
This software helps students solve problems or work assignments and receive immediate feedback on correctness.  Some feedback is "OK" or "No, try again."  Other feedback may include an explanation of how to solve the problem the right way.  Drill and Practice can be online flash cards, fill in the chart, or branching questions.  It is important to know how the computer is grading the answers and if it will allow more than one correct answer.  Drill and Practice is a great resource to use when studying for a test, as homework practice, and can be assigned individually to students.

Examples of Drill and Practice websites:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab.htm
http://www.multiplication.com/games/all-games


Tutorial
This instructional software is similar to a teacher's instruction.  Tutorials provide a step by step instructions to complete a task and includes practice exercises at the end.  Tutorials can be linear and follow the same sequence every time.  The can also be branching tutorials that change depending on how students answer questions.  Tutorials can be great when teachers are unavailable and can be individualized for each student.

Examples of Tutorial websites:
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line2.htm 
http://congressforkids.net/Constitution_writingconstitution.htm

Simulations
This instructional software is a computerized model of a real system that is designed to teach how the system works.  Students have a chance to experience hypothetical problem situations and react accordingly.

Example of Simulation websites:
www.digitalfrog.com 

Instructional Games
This instructional software mixes game-like rules and competition to learning activities.  Instructional games often have rules, competition or challenge, and amusing or entertaining formats.  Instructional games are appealing to students.

Example of Instructional Game websites:
www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy
www.sheppardsoftware.com/braingames/braingames.htm

Problem-Solving Teaching Functions
Problem-Solving software helps students practice various problem solving in content-area problems.  Some problems can be content area problem solving and others can be content-free problem solving.

Example of Problem-Solving Teaching websites:
www.criticalthinking.com
www.viva-media.com